Her Story
About Susan
Susan Savage, MBA, is the Founder, Principal Consultant, and Capture and Proposal Manager of Paperwhite LLC in Virginia Beach, Virginia. With more than 30 years of experience in government contracting and proposal development, she provides expertise in capture management, proposal management, proposal writing, graphic design, editing, and production. Her career began in 1996 in art content development within Boeing’s proposal department, building on her graphic design background, and she subsequently developed extensive experience supporting government contracting and procurement opportunities for organizations across the defense, technology, and professional services sectors.
Savage combines creative design expertise with highly structured proposal-management capabilities. She has led proposal teams, analyzed solicitations and compliance requirements, developed proposal schedules and outlines, coordinated color-team reviews, written management and technical content, created proposal graphics, and managed final production and submission. She earned a B.S. in Technical Management from DeVry University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, followed by an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.97 GPA. Her professional development also includes Graphics Design Specialist training, Carnegie training, and the Inforum Women’s Leadership Certification Program.
An entrepreneur and lifelong creative, Savage attributes her success to her ability to envision possibilities and turn those visions into reality through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. She describes herself as driven, passionate, and deeply hands-on, with integrity, honesty, and hard work serving as foundational values. Outside of proposal consulting, she enjoys movies, art, real estate, and design, and she and her husband share an interest in remodeling rental properties and collecting classic cars. She also remains actively involved in professional and community organizations, including APMP, Women in Defense, the Croatian Women’s Club, and a local community social committee.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to envision what I want to accomplish and transform those visions into reality. I have always been a creative person, and I use daydreaming and visualization as a way to develop ideas and imagine possibilities before bringing them to life. I am a relentless go-getter who is driven and passionate about what I pursue. I also credit the unwavering support of my husband, whose encouragement has been an important part of my achievements.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to pursue what my heart truly desires and to commit myself wholeheartedly to my aspirations. I believe that when you combine a clear vision with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can turn the things you imagine into reality. That philosophy has continued to guide me throughout my professional journey.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My career has given me the opportunity to build extensive knowledge of proposal development, capture, procurement opportunities, and government contracting. I began my professional journey in art content development and graphic design and gradually expanded my expertise into proposal management and capture. The combination of my creative background and years of hands-on experience has given me a broad understanding of how to develop, organize, communicate, and present proposals effectively. That depth of experience has ultimately positioned me to establish and operate my own consulting business.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, and hard work are among the values I hold most strongly. I am naturally very hands-on and tend to become deeply involved in the things that matter to me, both professionally and personally. I also place great value on creativity and artistry, which are important parts of who I am. My husband and I share a passion for art, and we enjoy remodeling rental properties together as a hobby. Those creative pursuits give me another way to apply my ideas and bring a vision to life.
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